The decision of what custody arrangements should be in place following divorce or separation is one of the most difficult and emotionally wrought decisions any parent will face. Whether you are considering filing for divorce or already in the process of working out a parenting agreement with your spouse, the advice of a Sacramento Child Custody Attorney in CA can make all the difference in the outcome. The best custody attorney understands the gravity of the situation and has a track record of successfully steering challenging child custody cases toward favorable resolutions that protect parental rights.
When deciding who should have physical custody, the judge will take into account the health and well-being of the children involved. Other considerations include the primary caregiver, both parents’ lifestyle and work schedules, the home environment, whether the children are happy in that living arrangement, allegations of domestic violence or abuse, and a variety of other factors. Generally, the judge will favor giving the custodial parent sole physical custody and allow for visitation rights or a shared custody arrangement for the non-custodial parent.
Legal custody is determined by the courts in much the same way. However, the courts may give more weight to a parent’s education, career, financial stability, and history of being a primary caregiver when making a final decision for legal custody. Additionally, the court may order that visits with a non-custodial parent be supervised when there are concerns about that parent’s safety or the child’s well-being.
Other important legal custody issues that can be litigated in family law court include where the child will go to school, which religious affiliations the children will have, and any other special needs or considerations that come into play. Our attorneys are accustomed to handling all of the legal intricacies of child custody matters and can help you avoid missing important court dates or not properly filing paperwork that could jeopardize your case.
If you need to modify an existing child custody agreement due to a change in schedule, moving out of the area, allegations of abuse or neglect, or any other reason, our lawyer can help with that as well. We can assist you in preparing and filing the appropriate paperwork as well as arguing for your position in court.
Depending on the circumstances, we can even file an emergency petition to get a temporary order in place while your case is being worked on. We are also experienced in dealing with complex issues that may arise in custody cases such as international or interstate relocation. We are skilled at working with lawyers in other states to ensure that our clients’ wishes and the best interests of their children are met. We are also skilled at defusing parental alienation tactics that seek to unfairly alienate a child from a parent. Contact us today to set up your consultation with our dedicated Child Custody Attorney. We look forward to helping you through this trying time.